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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
J. C. Masteller, carrying on general farming in Madison township, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1842, his parents being Jacob and Ellen (Blaine) Masteller, the latter a cousin of the renowned statesman, James G. Blaine. The children of the family were George, who was taken a prisoner by the Confederates in the Civil war and died at Annapolis, while hostilities were still in progress; James Curtis, who is living in Creston, Iowa; Elmer, a farmer, of Madison township, but living in Oskaloosa; Richard, of Oskaloosa; William, of Cass county, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Anderson, who resides in Mattoon, Illinois; Mrs. Annie White, a resident of Harvey county, Kansas; Mrs. Carrie Smith, of Oskaloasa; and Jennie, deceased. The family came to Mahaska county in 1855 and settled in Oskaloosa. For some years they lived in Spring Creek township and then removed to Madison township, taking up their abode upon a farm on the New Sharon road in 1864. J. C. Masteller was a youth of about thirteen when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa and was about twenty-two years of age when he took up his abode upon the farm which has since been his home. He was reared to agricultural pursuits early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist in connection with the work of tilling the soil and caring for the stock. His education was acquired in the public schools and throughout his entire life, since attaining manhood, he has given his attention to general farming and stock raising, having now a well improved property which gives evidence of his careful cultivation and supervision in its neat and thrifty appearance. Mr. Masteller was married in 1871 to Miss Sarah J. Farrell, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Farrell. They have a daughter, Kate, who is now the wife of R. D. Humphrey, a resident farmer of Madison township, and three children have been born of this union: Clara, Cecil and Edith. In his political relations Mr. Masteller is a republican, having always supported the party since age gave to him the right of franchise, and for one term he has served as justice of the peace, being called to that office in 1893. He has been township trustee since 1894 and has been school director and road supervisor. In community affairs he is interested, giving a public-spirited support to many measures for the general good, and in his farm work he is found to be a reliable, energetic and prosperous business man.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy